JPH1066053A - Video data distribution method, its system and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow many users to receive a distribution service of video data with a few video clients and to allow each user to make a reservation of a program even from a location remote from a video client. SOLUTION: A data distribution system 1 is configured such that a video server 11 distributes video data to video clients 12-14 in response to a distribution command from a request server 16. In this case, a video client is connected to a CAT network NWC to output video data distributed from the video server 11 to a prescribed channel of a CATV network and uses a video monitor 21 connected to the CATV network to receive video data in matching a channel. Then the request server 16 is connected to a communication network NWV and a request terminal equipment 22 allows the request server 16 to reserve a program via the communication network.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video data distribution method, a video data distribution system, a request server, and a request terminal in which a user can reserve a program he / she wants to watch and can view the program at the reserved time. , And a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art A system which digitizes a video (video data) and stores it in a video server, and distributes the video to a video client in accordance with a user's request by dramatically improving the functions of a computer and a communication network. Has been put to practical use. Such a system may be referred to as, for example, a video-on-demand system. As the use of such a system expands in the future, it is expected that the types of video and the number of distribution destinations will increase, and it is possible to successfully distribute each desired video to a large number of users at a desired time. A system is desired.

[0003]

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional video data distribution system 80. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, a video data distribution system 80 includes a video server 81 that distributes video data stored in a database 82 in accordance with a command, and a plurality of video clients 83 that receive distributed video data and make program reservations. , 83..., A manager 84 for managing these, a network 85 for connecting them to each other, and a switching hub 86 for switching connections.

The user of the video data distribution system 80 operates the video client 83 to select desired video data and gives a distribution command to the video server 81. As a result, the video server 81
The video data that has received the command is read from the database 82, and sequentially output to the video client 83 that has issued the command via the network 85. The video client 83 receives the video data, restores the video data as necessary, and displays the video on the screen. During this time, one line is exclusively used between the video server 81 and the video client 83.

[0005]

In the conventional video data distribution system 80 described above, the number of users who can issue a distribution command to the video server 81 and receive the video data is limited by the number of video clients 83. .
Since video data of a moving image is transferred between the video server 81 and the video client 83, for example, 1.5M
A transmission rate of about bps is required.
There is a limit to increasing the number of video clients 83 from the viewpoint of the communication capacity.

However, for example, when the video data distribution system 80 is used for education or learning in an educational institution such as a school or a university, it is desirable that services can be received in all classrooms and laboratories. In that case, a number of video clients 83 equal to the number of classrooms and laboratories are required. Therefore, a large-capacity network 85 is required, the system becomes large-scale, and the cost increases.

[0007] When services are provided in all classrooms and laboratories, the problem is how to reserve programs. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and enables a large number of users to receive a distribution service of video data with a small number of video clients, and furthermore, a video client such as a classroom and a laboratory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video data distribution method and system and a storage medium capable of reserving a program from a remote place.

[0008]

A method according to the present invention comprises a video server, a plurality of video clients,
A video data distribution method in a video data distribution system, comprising: a request server, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A terminal makes a reservation of a program to the request server via a communication network, sends a distribution command from the request server to the video server based on the reserved program, and responds to the distribution command from the video server to the video client. And the video client outputs the video data distributed from the video server to a predetermined channel of a CATV network, and the video data is adjusted by a video monitor connected to the CATV network to match the channels. How to receive .

A system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a video server, a plurality of video clients, and a request server, and the video server sends a video to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A video data distribution system configured to distribute data, the video client comprising:
It is connected to an ATV network, and is configured to output video data distributed from the video server to a predetermined channel of the CATV network. The video monitor connected to the CATV network adjusts the channel to match the video data. The request server is connected to a communication network, and a request terminal connected to the communication network can make a reservation of the video data program to the request server via the communication network. It is configured to be possible.

[0010] In the system according to the third aspect of the present invention, a program table for a reserved program is registered in the request server, and the request terminal can display the contents of the program table. Be composed.

[0011] In the system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reservation of the program by the request terminal is performed by designating video data to be reserved, a channel, and a broadcast time frame divided for each unit time.

In the system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the request server is provided with a forced stop function for forcibly stopping the delivery of the video data being delivered. In the system according to the invention of claim 6, the request server is provided with a forced distribution function for immediately distributing the video data from the beginning.

[0013] A request server according to a seventh aspect of the present invention has a video server, a plurality of video clients, and a request server, and the video server is connected to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A request server for a video data distribution system configured to distribute video data, for registering a program that is attribute information of the video data registered in the video server and storing the program in a program database. A program registration unit, a program reservation unit that receives a program reservation transmitted from each request terminal via a communication network and registers the program reservation in a program table, and according to the program table, the video server at a predetermined time. A delivery command section for sending a delivery command, and forcibly stopping delivery of the video data being delivered. And a system management unit having a forced stop function to become equipped with.

[0014] A storage medium according to claim 8 is a request server for a video data distribution system, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A step of checking a program table at each start time of a broadcast time frame divided for each unit time, and distributing the program when there is a reserved program. Sending a delivery command to the video server, sending a delivery command for delivering a test pattern, a black image, or the like to the video server when there is no reserved program. And a step of distributing the video at the end when the process is completed. And stores the beam.

[0015] The request terminal according to the invention of claim 9 is:
A request terminal for a video data distribution system, wherein a video server is configured to distribute video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from a request server, wherein the request terminal is provided to the request server via a communication network. A program of video data can be reserved, and the program is reserved by designating video data to be reserved, a channel, and a broadcast time frame divided for each unit time.

A storage medium according to a tenth aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: displaying a calendar screen for receiving a reservation;
Displaying a reservation status screen for all channels on the selected date; displaying a channel number and a time zone setting screen selected from the reservation status screen; and And a step of inputting a desired program name for a broadcast time frame to be reserved.

In the CATV network according to the present invention, CATV
(Community Antenna Television), a network used for local telecommunications called a cable television or a cable television, and a communication network for television in a premises of a very limited facility such as a company or campus. . The communication network according to the present invention includes a digital communication line such as ATM, FDDI, Ethernet, or INS.

An example of the distribution of video data (program) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the flowchart of FIG. The request server 16 checks the program table TPV for each start time of the broadcast time frame FP, and if there is a reserved program PGV, a distribution command CDD for distributing the program PGV.
Is sent to the video server 11. If there is no reserved program PGV, a distribution command CDD for distributing a test pattern or a black image is sent to the video server 11. In each broadcast time frame FP, when the program PGV ends within the broadcast time frame FP, for example, a still video at the end is distributed.

The request server 16 and the request terminal 22 according to the present invention are realized by using, for example, a personal computer or a workstation. A program for executing steps or processing according to the present invention includes a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a CD-ROM (CD),
It is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk FD or a magneto-optical disk. The program stored in the storage medium is read out as necessary using a CD-ROM drive, a floppy disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, or the like. When the storage medium is provided in, for example, a server or another computer, the program is read or downloaded from the server or another computer via a communication line. The programs can be supplied to operate under various OSs, platforms, system environments, or network environments.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video data distribution system 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a request server 16. In the present embodiment, an example of a video data distribution system 1 laid on the premises of an educational institution will be described.

In FIG. 1, a video data distribution system 1 includes a video server 11, three video clients 1
2 to 14, one video client 15, request server 16, video encoder 17, many video monitors 21, many request terminals 22, 23, communication network NWV, switching hub SH, CATV network NWC, communication network NWD, etc. It is configured.

The communication network NWV is a high-speed network capable of transmitting digital video data.
In addition to a LAN (local area network) conforming to the Ethernet standard, for example, an NTT INS net or the like can be used.

The CATV network NWC is a network capable of transmitting a plurality of analog video signals on a transmission line using a coaxial cable or an optical fiber cable. In addition to laying exclusively on the premises, existing CATV
It is possible to use a net. In this case, the video may be scrambled, and a scramble may be released by installing a converter in front of the video monitor 21. The communication network NWD is a high-speed network capable of transmitting digital data, and includes ATM, FDD, and the like.
Digital communication lines such as I and INS are used.

The video server 11 distributes the video data VDT stored in the video database VDB to the video clients 12 to 15 in accordance with a distribution command (or broadcast instruction) from the request server 16. In the video database VDB, a large number of digitized video data VDTs are stored in a medium such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk, and are registered in the video server 11 for distribution.

The video encoder 17 includes a video tape,
Various video sources such as video discs and broadcasts VSC
Is digitized, and image compression is performed by a predetermined compression method, for example, MPEG1, MPEG2, Indeo, or the like, to obtain video data VDT of a predetermined format. The video data VDT is output to the video server 11 via the communication network NWV and registered in the video server 11.

The video clients 12 to 14 convert the video data distributed from the video server 11 into a CAT.
Output (broadcast) to a predetermined channel of the V network NWC. That is, the video clients 12 to 14 output the received video data to a predetermined channel of the CATV network NWC instead of or in addition to outputting the video data to the display. The channel numbers output by the video clients 12 to 14 correspond to the respective video clients 1
It is preset for 2 to 14.

The video client 15 displays video data distributed from the video server 11 on a display, and has the same function as a conventional video client.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the request server 16
Is provided with a program registration unit 161, a program reservation unit 162, a distribution command unit 163, and a system management unit 164. The program registration unit 161 stores a program PGV which is attribute information of the video data VDT registered in the video server 11.
Is registered and stored in the program database PDB. The program reservation unit 162 receives a program reservation transmitted from each request terminal 22 via the communication network NWD, and registers the program reservation in the program table TPV. The distribution command unit 163 performs the program table TP
According to V, a distribution command CDD is sent to the video server 11 at predetermined times. The system management unit 164 has a forced stop function for forcibly stopping the delivery of the video data being delivered and a forced delivery function for immediately restarting and delivering the video data from the beginning.

The video monitor 21 is connected to the CATV network NWC, and tunes to a predetermined channel to perform CA.
It receives video data of a program transmitted from the TV network NWC. Therefore, the video monitor 21 has C
Devices compatible with the ATV network NWC are used. CATV
Many video monitors 21 can be connected to the network NWC. When the CATV network NWC is a network for transmitting analog video signals, for example, a TV receiver is used as the video monitor 21.

The request terminal 22 is for making a program reservation to the request server 16 via the communication network NWD. The display of the request terminal 22 can display the contents of the already registered program guide TPV, and a screen for program reservation is displayed as described later. As the request terminal 22, a personal computer is preferably used.

The above-described video monitor 21 and request terminal 22 are provided as a set for each room CE such as a classroom or a laboratory. Accordingly, a personal computer or the like installed for normal work in a laboratory can be used as the request terminal 22.

The terminal 23 has a function similar to that of the request terminal 22 described above.
5 is installed in the same room. Next, regarding operations, processing, and operations in the video data distribution system 1,
This will be described with reference to the screen HG shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The main processes in the video data distribution system 1 are registration of the program PGV, reservation of the program PGV,
GV distribution (broadcasting) and system management. Program P
GV registration and reservation can be performed by a general user calling each function of the request server 16 from the request terminal 22.

First, registration of the program PGV will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a menu screen HG1 displayed on the display of the request terminal 22 or the terminal 23, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen HG2 for program registration displayed on the display of the request terminal 22, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the operation or the processing of FIG.

The video data VDT is registered in the video server 11 (# 11). To register the video data VDT, the video source VSC is digitized by the video encoder 17 and stored in the video database VDB. Thereafter, the request terminal 22 is started up, the menu screen HG1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and “program registration” is selected from the menu screen (# 12). Thereby, the screen HG2 for program registration shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display of the request terminal 22 (# 13).

On the screen HG2, attribute information such as a program name NPG, a program file name NPF, a classification and a time length is input (# 14). The request server 16 transmits the video data VDT of the input program PGV to the video server 11.
Is checked (# 15), and if it is registered, it is registered in the program database PDB (# 16). If there is no video data VDT, an error message is displayed and the process ends (# 17). ).

It is also possible to change or delete the registered program PGV. Next, the reservation of the program PGV will be described. 5 to 11 show screens HG3 for program reservation displayed on the display of the request terminal 22.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a program reservation operation or process.

"Program reservation" is selected from the menu screen HG1 of FIG. 3 (# 21). As a result, the calendar screen HG3 for reservation reception shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display of the request terminal 22 (# 2).
2), select a date from among them (# 23). Since the screen HG4 of the reservation status every hour for all the channels on the selected date is displayed (# 24), a vacant channel number NCH and a time zone are selected from among them (# 2).
5). In the screen HG4, a circle indicates a free broadcast time frame FP, and a cross indicates a reserved broadcast time frame FP. The time zone is every hour from 0 to 24:00, and the entire display can be displayed by scrolling. The broadcast time frame FP is a minimum time unit for distributing the program PGV, and is set in units of 10 minutes in the present embodiment. Therefore, the intersection of the channel number NCH including the cross and the time zone on the screen HG4 is selected.

Next, a setting screen HG5 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed for the selected channel number NCH and time zone (# 26). Then, when the broadcast time frame FP to be reserved is selected (# 27), the selected broadcast time frame FP is displayed in a separate column as shown in a screen HG6 of FIG. 8, and a list of registered programs PGV is displayed in the window WD1. (# 28). The contents of the window WD1 can be scrolled.

When a desired program name NPG is selected from the list of program PGVs (# 29), the program name NPG is displayed beside the broadcast time frame FP to be reserved as shown in a screen HG7. In this case, "reservation" is selected (# 30). As shown in the screen HG8, the input screen of the user ID and the password is displayed as the window WD2, and by inputting them, (# 3
1) The program PGV is registered in the program guide TPV, and the result is displayed on the screen HG9 (# 32).

As described above, the reservation of the program PGV is performed by specifying the video data VDT to be reserved by the program name NPG, and specifying the channel number NCH and the broadcast time frame FP.

Note that one is set for one broadcast time frame FP.
It is possible to reserve only one program PGV. Therefore, when the program PGV ends in the middle of the broadcast time frame FP, the program PGV is stopped at the last video. The time length of the program PGV is the broadcast time frame F.
If it is larger than P, a plurality of continuous broadcast time frames FP exceeding the time length of the program PGV are automatically set.

To delete a reserved program PGV,
"Cansel" is selected on the screens HG6 to HG8. The deletion of the program name NPG can be performed by the user who has reserved the program name NPG or by the system administrator.
To change the reserved program name NPG, re-reservation is performed after deletion.

Next, distribution (broadcasting) of the program PGV will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a distribution operation or process. The request server 16 checks the program table TPV for each start time of the broadcast time frame FP, and if there is a reserved program PGV (Yes in # 41), a distribution command CDD for distributing the program PGV
Is sent to the video server 11 (# 42). If there is no reserved program PGV (No in # 41), the video server 11 sends a distribution command CDD for distributing the test pattern.
(# 43). In each broadcast time frame FP,
When the program PGV ends within the broadcast time frame FP, a still image at the end is delivered.

Next, the system management function will be described. By operating the terminal 23 or the request terminal 22, “system management” is selected from the menu screen HG1 of FIG. Since the input screen for the user ID and the password is displayed, the system administrator or the user can perform the subsequent operations by inputting them. FIG.
In the screen HG10 for system management shown in FIG.
By designating the broadcast time frame FP and the channel number NCH and designating “forced stop” and “restart”, the program PGV being distributed can be forcibly stopped or restarted. Forcibly canceled and restarted, for example, because the start of the class was later than the scheduled time, the program P
This is executed, for example, when it is desired to distribute the data again from the beginning of the GV.

According to the video data distribution system 1 described above, three video clients 12 to 14
Distributes video data of two channels, and the CATV network NW
The video can be received and viewed by a number of video monitors 21 connected to C. Video monitor 21
In the case where a TV receiver is used, cost reduction can be achieved. Further, the program PGV can be reserved from the request terminal 22 via the communication network NWD, and the program can be reserved from a place remote from the installation location of the video clients 12 to 14, the request server 16, or the video server 11. . In the case where a personal computer is used as the request terminal 22, a terminal installed for other ordinary work can also be used, and cost reduction can be achieved.

Therefore, the video data distribution system 1
According to this, a large number of users can receive a video data distribution service by a small number of video clients 12 to 14, and programs can be transmitted from a place remote from the video clients 12 to 14, such as a classroom and a laboratory. Can make a reservation.

In the reservation of the program PGV, the reservation status screen HG4 displays the reservation status for every hour on all the channels on the selected date, and indicates whether the broadcast time frame FP is empty or reserved. Since it is displayed as a cross,
The reservation status is clear at a glance. Since the length of the broadcast time frame FP is fixed at 10 minutes, the reservation status of the program PGV is easy to understand, and the broadcast start time is simple every 10 minutes, which can be overlooked due to an incorrect broadcast time. Less likely.

In the above embodiment, the broadcast time frame FP
10 minutes, but 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes
Minutes, 30 minutes, and other various times.
The number of video clients 12-14 can be two or four or more. The configuration of the whole or each part of the video data distribution system 1, the content of the screen HG, the content or order of the processing or the operation, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the gist of the present invention.

[0050]

According to the present invention, a large number of users can receive a video data distribution service by a small number of video clients.
Moreover, the program can be reserved even from a place remote from the video client such as a classroom and a laboratory.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is easier to reserve a program from the request terminal. According to the invention of claim 4, reservation of a program is further facilitated.

According to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stop the program being broadcast or restart the broadcast from the beginning of the program when the time for the video broadcast is not reached.

According to the ninth or tenth aspect of the present invention,
A request terminal that makes it easy to reserve a program from a remote location can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video data distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a request server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a menu screen displayed on a display of a request terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen for program registration displayed on a display of a request terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation displayed on a display of a request terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen for program reservation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen for system management.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a program registration operation or process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a program reservation operation or process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a distribution operation or process.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional video data distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 video data distribution system 11 video server 12-13 video client 16 request server 21 video monitor 22 request terminal NWC CATV network NWD communication network TPV program guide VDT video data NCH channel number FP broadcast time frame CD CD-ROM (storage medium) FD Floppy disk (storage medium)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 5/765 H04N 7/16 Z 5/781 5/781 510G 7/16

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A video server comprising: a video server; a plurality of video clients; and a request server, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A video data distribution method in a video data distribution system, comprising: making a reservation of a program from a request terminal to the request server via a communication network; and transmitting a distribution command from the request server to the video server based on the reserved program. Sending the video data from the video server to the video client in response to the distribution command, outputting the video data distributed from the video server to a predetermined channel of the CATV network, To a connected video monitor I, together channel for receiving the video data, the video data distribution method, characterized in that. 2. A video server comprising: a video server; a plurality of video clients; and a request server, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. A video data distribution system, wherein the video client is connected to a CATV network and transmits video data distributed from the video server to the CA.
A video monitor connected to the CATV network to receive the video data in accordance with a channel, wherein the request server is connected to a communication network; A video data distribution system, wherein a request terminal connected to the communication network is capable of making a reservation of the video data program to the request server via the communication network. 3. A program table for a reserved program is registered in the request server, and the request terminal is configured to be able to display the contents of the program table. A video data distribution system as described. 4. The reservation of a program by the request terminal,
The video data distribution system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the video data is to be reserved by specifying a video data, a channel, and a broadcast time slot divided for each unit time. 5. The video data distribution system according to claim 2, wherein said request server is provided with a forced stop function for forcibly stopping distribution of video data being distributed. . 6. The video data distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said request server is provided with a forced distribution function for immediately distributing video data from the beginning. 7. A video server, a plurality of video clients, and a request server, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution instruction from the request server. A request server for a video data distribution system, comprising: a program registration unit for registering a program that is attribute information of the video data registered in the video server and storing the program in a program database; A program reservation unit for receiving a program reservation transmitted from a communication network via a communication network and registering the program reservation in a program table; and a distribution command unit for transmitting the distribution command to the video server at predetermined times according to the program table. And a system pipe having a forced stop function for forcibly stopping the delivery of the video data being delivered. And a request server for a video data distribution system comprising: 8. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a request server for a video data distribution system, wherein the video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from the request server. Checking a program table at each start time of a broadcast time frame divided for each unit time, and sending a distribution command for distributing the program to a video server when there is a reserved program Sending a distribution command for distributing a test pattern or a black image to the video server when there is no reserved program; and a video at the end when the program ends within each of the broadcast time frames. And a computer-readable program storing a program for causing the request server to execute A storage medium that can be taken. 9. A request terminal for a video data distribution system, wherein a video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from a request server, the request terminal comprising: The program of the video data can be reserved in the request server, and the reservation of the program is performed by designating video data to be reserved, a channel, and a broadcast time frame divided for each unit time. A request terminal for a video data distribution system, comprising: 10. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a request terminal for a video data distribution system in which a video server distributes video data to a predetermined video client in response to a distribution command from a request server. Displaying a calendar screen for receiving a reservation, displaying a reservation status screen for all channels on the selected date, and selecting a channel number and a channel number selected from the reservation status screen. Displaying a setting screen for a time zone; inputting a desired program name for a broadcast time frame to be reserved in the time zone; and a computer storing a program for causing the request terminal to execute A readable storage medium.